Cessna 177RG accident near Crestview, Florida, April 14, 2023
On April 14, 2023 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 177RG, registered N7542V, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (IFR initial approach) near Crestview, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the loosening and separation of the No. 1 connecting rod cap nuts in flight, resulting in catastrophic internal engine damage. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/owner’s failure to comply with the engine manufacturer’s service instruction on engine overhaul intervals.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 14, 2023 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Crestview, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177RG, built 1976 · all 177RGs on the register
- Registration
- N7542V · registry record · serial 177RG0839
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during a flight in visual conditions, he heard a “boom” from the propeller hub. The propeller immediately began to oscillate and shudder violently, accompanied by severe engine vibration and oil loss. He shut the engine down and executed a forced landing to a field that resulted in structural damage to the airplane. The pilot sustained serious injuries. A teardown examination of the engine after recovery of the wreckage revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod cap separated from the rod during flight, resulting in catastrophic engine damage. Damage to the rod cap bolts and nuts was consistent with the nuts loosening and backing out over time. There was no evidence of heat distress on the affected parts. A review of the aircraft maintenance logbooks revealed that the last overhaul of the engine was performed more than 30 years before the accident. A service instruction issued by the engine manufacturer instructs all engine models to be overhauled within twelve calendar years of the date they first entered service or of the last overhaul.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (IFR initial approach) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Not serviced/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Misc hardware › Fasteners › Not inspected
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 467 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 379 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 5, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,596.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 16, 2022; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D (piston); 3,597 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DTS Destin FL at 7:21 pm
- Destination: CEW Crestview FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.91 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from KCEW, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCEW 141953Z AUTO VRB05KT 10SM CLR 26/13 A2991 RMK AO2 SLP124 T02610128
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA23LA197.